|
|
IC 443:
High School Students Discover Neutron Star Using Chandra and VLA Data
This Chandra image reveals a
point-like source of X-rays embedded in the remains of
the supernova remnant IC443. This discovery was
made by three high school students using data from
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory in conjunction with
radio data from the National Science Foundation's Very
Large Array (VLA). The comet-shaped appearance of the
cloud of high-energy particles in the Chandra image
indicates that the neutron star is moving through IC
443. Like the wake of a supersonic airplane, the
swept-back shape of the nebula around the neutron star
allowed the students to measure the speed it is
traveling away from its origin. Using this result and
the apparent distance that the neutron star has
traveled from the center of the supernova remnant, the
students calculated that the light from the initial
explosion arrived at Earth about 30,000 years ago, thus
addressing an outstanding question about IC 443.
The remnant of the IC 443 supernova is a well-studied
object. Astronomers have searched this region (roughly
5,000 light years from Earth) for the neutron star
created in the explosion that they thought should be
there, judging from the size and dynamics of the
supernova remnant.
Neutron stars, such as the one found by the NCSSM
team, are the compact hot embers of very massive stars
that have exhausted their fuel and expelled their own
shells. The remaining cores, often no more than 10
miles in diameter, are very dense objects that
sometimes spin and release beams of particles along
their magnetic poles.
The colors in this image represent the intensities of
X-rays Chandra observed. Regions the most X-rays are shown in white, with the fainter regions represented by the blue-green color.
| Fast Facts for IC 443: |
| Credit |
NASA/NCSSM/C.Olbert et al. |
| Scale |
Image is 1 x 0.8 arcmin |
| Category |
Neutron Stars/X-ray Binaries, Supernovas & Supernova Remnants |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 06h 17m 05.00s | Dec +22° 21' 30.00" |
| Constellation |
Gemini |
| Observation Dates |
April 10, 2000
|
| Observation Time |
3 hours |
| Color Code |
Intensity |
| Instrument |
ACIS |
| Distance Estimate |
About 5,000 light years |
| Release Date |
December 11, 2000 |
|
|
|
